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As people move through life, they often begin to think about deeper issues they may have ignored earlier. Sometimes, they feel regret for things they wish they had done—or not done—and sad realizations creep into their consciousness:
- Lack of serenity and direction from a self-absorbed refusal to surrender an obsession with control.
- Guilt from wrongs still unresolved rather than an ongoing journey of growth and transformation.
- Loved ones left unloved and missed opportunities to express empathy with the people in their life.
- Worry and regret for wasted time rather than contentment and peace from their ongoing progress.
- Meaninglessness and emptiness instead of the significance people find engaging in service to others.
Instead, we can experience a life marked by peace, joy, and purpose rather than frustration and despair. There are STEPS to guide us on this journey, and they can help us develop a positive worldview to orient our existence and provide significance.
But what is a worldview? At risk of providing a somewhat circular answer, a worldview is simply how we perceive the world around us to be. Whether we realize it or not, we each have a personal worldview. It is the mindset or beliefs that guide how we think, our relationships, and the decisions we make. It includes how we address critical and enduring questions such as:
- Is life random, or is there a plan or direction for my existence?
- Why am I here on earth, and what is the meaning of my life?
- How do I live a life of purpose and find lasting significance?
- Are there any basic truths in the world and what are they?
- Is there a God? What is God like? Does he care about me?
No matter where we are on our life journey, we can benefit from developing a positive worldview. A critical part of that process is to pursue a search for truth, and this includes deciding what role God will play in our life. In addition, each of us needs a vision, one that energizes our life and provides strength and optimism to move in the right direction each day.
The key is to embrace a view of the world that offers hope and purpose as we move along our journey. Such an orientation will help us feel better about our progress each day because we will know our time was spent pursuing worthwhile goals with meaning and significance. We all have a worldview—consciously or not—so it makes sense to develop a sound one.
What is your worldview?
